CATIA V5 Workbook

Releases 12 & 13

By:
Richard Cozzens
Southern Utah University

SDC
PUBLICATIONS

Schroff Development Corporation

www.schroff.com
www.schroff-europe.com
Lesson 1 Introduction to CATIA V5

Introduction
CATIA V5 is a powerful software package yet has a relatively short learning curve. One
of the reasons for the short learning curve is that it is fully Windows compatible and the
processes are consistent across the workbenches, toolbars and tools. If you learn the
basics of a particular workbench the same process can be used for more complex
problems. Several tools are used in more than one workbench.

The lessons in this workbook present basic real life design problems (when possible) and
the workbenches, toolbars, and tools required to solve the problem. The lessons present
this information with step-by-step instructions. For every step there are numerous
possible methods of accomplishing the same thing. The steps are to be used as guides to
solving the design problem. You are encouraged to try new and different methods, find
the method that works for you.

This lesson provides a brief foundation about CATIA V5 to build upon in the following
lessons.

Figure 1.1
1-2 CATIA V5 Workbook

Objectives
The objective of this workbook is to instruct anyone who wants to learn CATIA V5
through organized, graphically rich, step-by-step instructions on the basic processes
and tools provided by CATIA V5.

The objectives of this lesson are listed below:

- Provide suggestions on how to best utilize this workbook.

- Provide some basic background on CATIA and CATIA V5.
- Provide an overview of all the CATIA V5 Applications Tools and their
Workbenches.
- Provide an overview of all the possible CATIA V5 document types.
- Provide an introduction to CATIA V5 and MS Windows functionality.

The CATIA Acronym

The CATIA acronym stands for: “Computer Aided Three Dimensional Interactive
Application”. V5 stands for Version 5.

How To Use This Workbook

Although most of the steps are detailed for the beginner, the steps and processes are
numbered and bolded so the more experienced user can go directly to the subject and/or
area of interest.

All of the lessons follow the same format:

Introduction: This section introduces the problem covered in the lesson and the CATIA
V5 workbenches and tools used to solve the problem. This section is a quick overview of
the problem, basic steps and completed results.

Objectives: This section provides the main concepts that will be covered in the lesson.
The Review Questions and Practice Exercises are tied directly to these the stated
objectives.

Work Bench and Tool Bars: This section introduces the workbenches and tools with a
brief definition of each tool. The tool icons are also displayed in this section.

Step-by-Step Instructions: The bulk of each lesson consists of step-by-step instruction

on how to apply the newly introduced tools to solve the lesson problem. This section is
designed for basic users and more advanced users. The beginner will want to read
through each step while the more advanced user may want to skip to the bolded words
Introduction to CATIA V5 1-3

which for the most part are the actions required by each step. There are Notes, Hints
and Comments along with links to all of the graphics for visual explanations.

Summary: This section brings everything you have learned together.

Review Questions: This section consists of 20 questions taken from the lesson. The
purpose of the review is to help solidify the concepts and tools taught in the lesson. The
questions tie directly back to the listed objectives.

Practice Exercises: Being able to answer questions is one thing, being able to create is
another! The Practice Exercises are problems that require the use of the tools and
processes covered in the lesson. Some of the Practice Exercises have helpful hints on
how to create the part.

To get the most out of each lesson, it is suggested that you preview the entire lesson so
you get an overview of what information is contained in each lesson. This overview will
also give you an idea of what it will take to complete the lesson. Read through the
Lesson Review questions before you begin, this way you can be searching for the
answers as you go through the lesson. Preview the Practice Exercises, as you go
through the lesson you can be looking for the tools and processes required to complete
the Practice Exercises.

A Brief History of CATIA

CATIA was developed by Dassault Systemes in the early 1980’s and quickly
emerged as an industry leader. CATIA V5 is different from V4 and earlier versions
because it was programmed to take advantage of the MS Windows capability while
maintaining the UNIX power and stability.

As a user, making the transition to CATIA V5 from CATIA V4 is a huge step.

CATIA V5 does not resemble CATIA V4 at all; it is new. For Experienced CATIA
V4 users often seem to struggle with the change at first, until they can let go of the
old and embrace the new. The learning curve has been greatly reduced, while
maintaining the power and significantly improving the flexibility and integration.
With CATIA V5 the designer is not limited by the software but is limited only by
his/her own ability to put the software to work. CATIA V5 is the engineering package
that will lead industry into the world of Product Life Cycle Management (PLM).
1-4 CATIA V5 Workbook

CATIA V5 Configuration
CATIA V5 is configured into three different platforms. The platform defines a
technical capability. Within each platform there are Applications Tools. These
Application Tools contain workbenches that are organized into categories dependent
on their application, for example the NC Manufacturing Application Tools contain
workbenches that support NC applications like Lath Machining, Prismatic Machining
and Surface Machining. Workbenches contain toolbars and tools that are specific to
that workbench. For example, metaphorically speaking a woodshop contains tools
for woodworking and a weld shop contains tools for welding. This is similar to
CATIAV5’s workbenches; the Part Design Workbench contains toolbars and tools for
creating parts. Toolbars within workbenches can also be broken down into specific
functions. Some particular toolbars and tools will show up in numerous
workbenches.

Figure 1.2

To determine your CATIA V5 configuration from the MS XP Desktop select Start,

Programs, CATIA, Tools as shown in Figure 1.2. Select the Software
Management V5R13 option. This will bring up a window similar to the one shown
in Figure 1.3. The General tab will display the Build Level and Service Pack Level.
The Installed Software tab will display all the CATIA V5 Licenses. Notice that
there are numerous options under the CATIA, Tools options. These options may not
be available depending on how CATIA was installed. These tools may be available
at the administration level only. If this is the case you can still find out basic
configuration information by selecting the Help option on the top pull down menu (in
CATIA V5) and selecting the About CATIA V5 option.
Introduction to CATIA V5 1-5

Figure 1.3

CATIA V5 Platforms
CATIA V5 is configured into with three different platforms. The platforms P1, P2
and P3 designate the design level available to the user.

P1 Platform
The P1 Platform is the starting point for smaller companies that do not require the
process-oriented tools. The functionality is limited to design tools.

P2 Platform
The P2 Platform provides the extended design tools as well as additional process
oriented tools. The process tools are fully interchangeable and scaleable.

P3 Platform
The P3 Platform has the look and feel of the P2 Platform but can be customized to fit
a particular industry (highly specialized).
1-6 CATIA V5 Workbook

Access to the Application Tool: Workbench:

Figure 1.4 Application Mechanical Design Part Design
Tools

Part Design Workbench toolbars

and tools

CATIA V5 Applications Tools

The Application Tools are where all the Workbenches are made accessible
(organized). To access the Application Tools select the Start menu located at the top
left of the CATIA V5 Screen (reference Figure 1.4). The Start menu will display the
Application Tools. The number of Application Tools depends on the Platform level
and license package purchased. The Applications Tools shown in this section
represent the P2 Platform and ED2 License package.

Infrastructure

Mechanical Design
Introduction to CATIA V5 1-7

Shape

Analysis & Simulation

NC Manufacturing

Digital Mockup

Knowledgeware

CATIA V5 Workbenches
The following is a list of workbenches that are organized within each Application Tool.

Infrastructure
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to all the other
Applications. These workbenches are integrated across CATIA V5
applications.
Workbench Workbench Definition
Workbench
Name
Product This workbench provides tools that help the user
Structure organize and work with assemblies. Numerous tools
are similar or duplicates of tools found in the
Assembly Design Workbench.
Material This workbench provides the tools to create a user-
Library defined material (customized).
CATIA V4, This workbench provides tools that help integrate the
V3, V2 different versions of CATIA.
Catalog This workbench provides the tools to create a user-
Editor defined entity, part and/or assembly.
Photo Studio This workbench provides the tools to create pictures
(*.jpg) of the CATIA creation.
Real Time This workbench provides the tools for creating lights,
Rendering environments, turn tables and simulations for picture
and video renderings of the CATIAV5 products.
Feature This workbench provides tools for creating feature
Dictionary dictionary, inherited attributes and local attributes.
Editor
1-8 CATIA V5 Workbook

Mechanical Design
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to design, solid
modeling, assembly and drafting.
Workbench Workbench Definition
Workbench
Name
Part Design This workbench is the basis for most of CATIA V5’s
other workbenches. This workbench provides tools for
the creation of individual 3D entities (parts). The
resulting design document (file) has the file extension
of *.CATPart.
Assembly This workbench provides the tools that bring
Design (constrain) numerous CATPart documents together as
an assembly. The resulting document has the
*.CATProduct extension.
Sketcher This workbench provides tools to create 2D profiles.
This workbench is tied closely to the Part Design
Workbench; most of the Part Design entities are
created in the Sketcher Workbench and completed
(extruded) in the Part Design Workbench.
Drafting This workbench provides the tools to create production
(drafted) drawings of the CATIA V5 CATParts and/or
CATProducts.
Sheet Metal This workbench provides the tools to create Sheet
Design Metal designs.
Sheet Metal This workbench provides the tools to create Sheet
Production Metal designs.
Wireframe This workbench provides the tools to create 3D
and Surface wireframe and 3D surfaces.
Design
Generative This workbench provides the tools to create Sheet
Sheet Metal Metal designs.
Design
Introduction to CATIA V5 1-9

Shape
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to surfaces and
surface design.
Workbench Workbench Definition
Workbench
Name
Free Style This workbench provides the tools for creating and
modifying free style surfaces.
Sketch Tracer This workbench provides tools for tracing sketches.

Digitized This workbench provides tools for

Shape Editor importing/exporting clouds of points and creating
surfaces from the points.
Generative This workbench provides the tools for creating and
Shape Design modifying wireframe and surface geometry.
Quick Surface This workbench provides the tools for creating
Reconstruction surfaces from existing geometry.

Analysis & Simulation

This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to Analysis and
Simulation.
Workbench Workbench Definition
Workbench
Name
Advanced This workbench provides the tools for creating and
Meshing modifying advanced meshes.
Tools
Generative This workbench provides the tools to apply loads on
Structural existing parts and/or assemblies. The results of the
Analysis loads and supports can then be calculated and printed
out in a report.
1-10 CATIA V5 Workbook

NC Manufacturing
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to Numeric Control
applications.
Workbench Workbench Definition
Workbench
Name
Lathe This workbench provides the tools to create NC
Machining programs for Lathe applications.
Prismatic This workbench provides the tools to create NC
Machining programs for 3 axis-milling machines.
Surface This workbench provides the tools to create NC
Machining programs for 3 and 5 axis-milling machines.
Advanced This workbench provides advanced tools to create NC
Machining programs for 3 and 5 axis milling machines
NC This workbench provides the tools to review CATIA
Manufacturing V5 NC programs.
Review
STL Rapid This workbench provides the tools for STL Rapid
Prototyping Prototyping.

Digital Mockup
This Application Tool contains workbenches that apply to digital recreation
of the real
world.
Workbench Workbench Definition
Workbench
Name
DMU This workbench provides the tools to help the user
Navigator navigate through the design.
DMU Space This workbench provides the tools to help the user
Analysis analyze space in a design.
DMU This workbench provides the tools to help the user
Kinematics apply and extract kinematics information about a
specific design.
DMU Fitting This workbench provides the tools for analyzing
assemblies such as part clash detection, simulations,
part shuttles and automated assembly explosions.
DMU 2D This workbench provides the tools to analyze and
Viewer annotate 2D documents.
DMU This workbench provides the tools to help the user
Optimizer optimize the design.
Introduction to CATIA V5 1-11

Knowledgeware
This Application Tool contains workbenches that allow the user to
incorporate intelligence into CATIAV5 documents.
Workbench Workbench Definition
Workbench
Name
Knowledge This workbench provides the tools to create and apply
Advisor rules and checks for defined parameters. This
workbench also has macro and script tools.
Knowledge This workbench provides the tools to create and apply
Expert expert rules and checks.
Product This workbench provides the tools to optimize
Engineering assembly designs.
Optimizer
Product This workbench provides the tools to create template
Knowledge copies of existing knowledgeware creations.
Template
Product This workbench provides the tools to create and
Function modify functional actions.
Optimization
Product This workbench provides the tools to define
Function functional actions.
Definition

CATIA V5 Documents
All files created using CATIA V5 are referred to as documents. The basis of most
CATIA V5 documents is the part document. The part document is similar to the
*.model file in CATIA V4. Different CATIA V5 Workbenches generate different
types of documents (extension types). The following is a list of different
workbenches and the extension types.

Part Design *.CATPart

Sketcher *.CATPart
Surface Design *.CATPart
Drafting *.CATDrawing
Assembly Design *.CATProduct
GSA *.CATAnalyis
NC *.CATProcess
Material *.CATMaterial
Shape *.CATShape
1-12 CATIA V5 Workbook

Running CATIA V5 On Windows

This book was developed with CATIA V5 running on Microsoft Windows XP
Professional. CATIA V5 running on UNIX is similar although there are some minor
differences. The biggest difference is UNIX will not have all of the Windows
functionality. The Windows functionality gives the user the flexibility of having
several options for completing almost any task. For example, you have the Cut/Copy
and Paste tools in the Windows XP pull down menu, you have the quick keys that
accomplish the same thing ( Ctrl c and Ctrl v ) or you could use the CATIA V5 Cut
and Paste tool found in the CATIA V5 Standard tool bar. Another example is you
have the choice to highlight an entity then select the tool to apply or you can reverse
the choices and select the tool, then select the entity. Some of these options are not
available on the UNIX operating system. This workbook assumes you have at
minimum a basic knowledge of the Windows Operating System.

Contextual Menus
CATIA V5 was developed to take advantage of MS Windows functionality. One of
the most powerful functions offered by MS Windows technology is the Contextual
Menu. For most tools/functions in CATIA V5 there are several different ways to
accomplish and/or access the same tool. The Contextual Menu is one of the quicker
methods to accomplishing some tasks, rather than attempting to locate a tool or
navigate through the pull down menus. The Contextual Menu can provide immediate
access to some tools/functions by selecting the particular item and selecting the right
mouse button. Figure 1.5 shows an example of the Contextual Menu applied to the
Pad.1.
Introduction to CATIA V5 1-13

Figure 1.5

Contextual Menu: Select the

specific entity from the graphics
window or Specification Tree.
Select the right mouse button. This
brings up the menu as shown. The
options will be applied to the
selected entity ( Pad.1 in this
example).

Drag and Drop

This is another MS Windows tool that CATIA V5 offers the user. With most CATIA
V5 tools the user can select the tool (so it is highlighted) and then select the entity to
apply the tool to or the user can select the entity/entities and then the tool. Anther
option is to drag the tool and drop it onto the entity/entities. In other words the order
in which the processes are executed is not critical. Most users get used to applying a
tool a particular way and stay with that method. It is important to know that option is
available. The methods described in this workbook are usually limited to one
method. Even so, be aware of the other options.

Summary
This is a brief background and introduction to the world of CATIA V5. It is also a
brief guide to how to get the most out of this workbook no matter what skill level you
are at. The better you remember and understand the information presented in this
lesson the easier it will be to learn and apply the information contained in the
remaining lessons.
1-14 CATIA V5 Workbook

Review Questions
After completing this lesson you should be able to answer the questions and explain the
concepts listed below.

1. T or F The acronym of CATIA stands for “Computer Aided Three

Dimensional Interactive Application.”

2. T or F CATIA V5 is a product of Dassault Systemes.

3. How many sections are there in each lesson?

4. How many Platforms are there in CATIA V5?

5. T or F The P1 Platform contains the most functionality.

6. How can you find out what CATIA V5 release level you are working on?

7. T or F The Part Design workbench is found in the Infrastructure Applications

Tools.

8. T or F Sketcher is an Application Tool.

9. As presented in this lesson how many different types of documents can

CATIA V5 create?

10. T or F The Part Design Workbench creates a *.CATPart type document.

11. T or F The Part Design Workbench creates a *.CATProduct type document.

12. As presented in this lesson how many options are on the Contextual Menu?

13. T or F The Contextual Menu applies only to the selected entity prior to
activating the Contextual Menu.

14. How do you activate the Contextual Menu?

15. What does the short cut Ctrl+c (Ctrl key along with the c key) accomplish?

16. What does the short cut Crtl+v (Ctrl key along with the v key) accomplish?

17. T or F This lesson covers another method of accomplishing the same thing as
selecting the Crtl +C short cut.
Introduction to CATIA V5 1-15

18. What workbench does the following icon represent?

19. What Application Tool does the following icon represent?

20. What workbench does the following icon represent?

1-16 CATIA V5 Workbook

Practice Exercises
1. Start CATIA V5.

2. Select the Part Design Workbench. Practice moving around between the different
Application tools and Workbenches, particularly the Part Design, Sketcher,
Assembly Design and Drafting Workbenches.

3. Select (highlight) the Part1 from the Specification Tree as shown below. Once
Part1 is selected select the right mouse button to bring up the Contextual Menu
specific to that entity. Review the options provided by the Contextual Menu.
Select the Properties option, review the information provided. The more familiar
you are with the information available
and how to access it the better off you
will be throughout the remaining
lessons.

4. Using either method presented in this

lesson determines the Release level of
CATIAV5 and the current Service Pack
installed.

5. Get comfortable with finding your way

around the Application Tools and
workbenches as well as using the
Contextual Menu.